21st Century Pranayama Breathing doesn’t just keep us alive: it also determines the quality of our life By Alan Dolan "Transformational Breath techniques have the power to lead one to have a direct experience of liberation on many levels. You may call it a short cut to enlightenment." Rimpoche Tulku Thubten, Tibetan Buddhist Lama As yogis, we’re probably more aware than most of the importance of correct breathing to promote and maintain good health. Recognising that conscious breathing is beneficial has been part of yogic philosophy for millennia. In the last thirty years however, breath researchers have developed alternative breathing methods and/ormodified previous techniques to deal specifically with the effects of living in contemporary society. The most recent of these is Transformational Breathing. Most of us are familiar with the wonderful feeling of our breath opening up as we go further into our yoga practice. The experience of breathing fully is one of the many delights that yoga brings. Yet for most westerners a full breath is rarely experienced. Modern lifestyles are more stress-filled than ever before and as a result, people have adopted restricted breathing patterns, limiting their respiratory capability often to a third or less of its total capacity. An amazing 80% of our energy comes from our breath and 70% of our waste products are expelled via the breathing process. So it is no surprise to find that the latest medical research links improper breathing techniques with a large number of diseases including asthma, hypertension, heart disease and cancer. The medical professions are increasingly convinced by the efficacy of oxygen therapies. We are seeing hyperbaric oxygen chambers, ozone therapies and hydrogen peroxide used in the treatment of diseases. Oxygen therapy is even becoming available to those of us without illness or disease. One thought a quirky fad, oxygen bars are increasingly popular especially in cities where air quality is poor such as Bangkok and Tokyo. Again most of us who practise yoga have had some exposure to traditional pranayama breathing techniques. Regular practice is said to increase our mental and physical powers of endurance and to provide a path to deeper relaxation and meditation. Not surprisingly for many yogis, pranayama is a fundamental aspect of their practice. So, what about transformational breathing? Can it truly be referred to as a pranayama and if so, how is it different to those that exist already? First a quick history lesson. In the late sixties, people like Stanislav Grof and Leonard Orr began to develop and experiment with new approaches to working with breath. This resulted in holotropic breath work and rebirthing, both of which have now become popular as standalone treatments. The most recent form of contemporary breath work is transformational breathing. Dr Judith Kravitz, an ordained minister with a Doctorate in Metaphysics has developed transformational breathing in the USA over the last 25 years. Judith's ‘inspiration’ came from a personal experience of self-healing. Using principles and skills acquired through her work with the breath, Judith healed a tumour on her throat. She then dedicated herself to promoting the benefits of Transformational Breathing across the globe. Judith describes transformational breathing as a “spiritual self healing process which uses the power of the breath to permanently raise low vibrational energy patterns in our electromagnetic field thereby effecting changes in not only the physical but also the mental-emotional and spiritual aspects of who we are.” If that seems a little dense on first appearances read on. The definition becomes clearer once one examines the mechanics and effects of the process itself which, for the purposes of explanation, can be divided into three levels: physical, mental-emotional and spiritual. Physical The process begins by learning how to open one’s breath and use the entire respiratory system. The resulting super-oxygenation allows the bodily systems to operate more efficiently. Although the specific results achieved depend a lot upon the intention an individual brings to their breathing session, just about everyone who practices this breathing reports feeling reduced levels of stress, more peace and joy and increased energy levels. In addition, breathers experience: - Increased detoxification
- Improved respiratory capacity
- Improved immune function
- Improved levels of cell oxygenation (which is associated with halting the ageing process)
- Endorphin release into the bloodstream, promoting an increased sense of well being
Mental-emotional Once the breath is open and flowing, the deep full and circular breathing pattern creates an opening to the subconscious mind. Breathing into previously closed places allows negativity, repressed emotions and memories as well as other patterns of dense or blocked energy to surface. These are quickly, effectively and permanently transmuted into a higher energy form without the need for re-living or consciously processing each accumulated hurt. This clearing of the subconscious mind allows us to: - Resolve stress
- Release past traumas located in the cellular memory
- Stop playing ‘old tapes’ of limitation and lack
- Permanently clear repressed emotions such as anger ,fear, guilt
- Create the relaxation response
- Create more peace, creativity and clarity
Spiritual Transformational breathing also allows us to access higher levels of consciousness. Spiritual awareness is embodied and brought to the conscious level. Breathers often receive insights, clarity and spiritual gifts during and after their sessions. With each breathing session, they become lighter and clearer as they gain the ability to see past illusion and follow their own inner guidance. This results in: - Deeper meditations
- Stronger connection to the higher self
- Awareness of unity consciousness
- Fuller expression of spiritual gifts
- A sense of living in joy
 Dr Kravitz’s book Breathe Deeply Laugh Loudly gives a more detailed insight into the development of transformational breathing and the physiological background to the process. It also documents her experiences in breath work with hundreds of thousands of people over the last three decades.
Transformational breath work is currently featured in many yoga studios across the U.S. Transformational breathing is safe and effective and the results are permanent. It is about self-awareness, self-healing and self-empowerment. So if you find your curiosity aroused, if you would like to breathe more fully or enjoy having more energy, a greater sense of purpose or more emotional freedom in your life, why not give it a try? Find out more by visiting www.breathe2000.com Alan Dolan is a yoga instructor and breath therapist at Villa Isis a holistic retreat center in Lanzarote www.hoho.co.uk |